Welcome to Therapaws North East, a new and innovative animal-assisted therapy service operating in the North East of England. Our mission is to enhance the lives of people of all ages and abilities by harnessing the power of the human-animal bond. Through our Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) program, we offer sessions to schools, businesses, hospitals, hospices, residential care homes and prisons.
Our program is designed to improve physical, emotional and cognitive function, reduce stress & anxiety, and promote socialization and communication. We believe that animals have the unique ability to help us connect, heal and thrive, and we are excited to bring this form of therapy to the communities of the North East.
We offer innovative and effective therapy programs that harness the healing power of the human-animal bond, and are dedicated to improving the lives of people of all ages and abilities in the North East.
With Therapaws NE, our team is always "pawsitively" available to help you improve your well-being with our furry friends.
A pre-assessment will take place prior to any sessions to find out what type of AAI is desired and discuss goals/objectives.
Therapaws can work as a standalone therapy session or in "mutt-ual" tandem with/alongside current therapy providers i.e physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapist.
At Therapaws NE, we understand the importance of trust when it comes to choosing a therapy provider. We want to assure our clients that we are a reliable and professional service, and we encourage getting to know us and our founder, Jen, who has a wealth of experience in animal-assisted interventions and a passion for improving people's lives.
With Therapaws NE, you can trust that you will receive individualised and compassionate care, tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Animal Assisted Education (AAE) - AAE is a form of skills-based learning where an animal is a teaching partner, regardless of the setting.
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) - AAT is a therapeutic intervention that incorporates animals into a more structured treatment plan. Using animals in this way enhances and complements traditional therapy.
Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) - AAA is a more casual form of animal interaction, which provides opportunities for motivational, educational recreational and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life.
What makes Therapaws different - at present there is no regulatory body for
animal assisted interventions in the UK. However at Therapaws NE we have decided to follow the most stringent guidelines suggested by governing
societies in the AAI field so our clients can have additional trust in us.
1) Handlers have appropriate qualifications - Jen holds a Level 3 diploma in
Animal Assisted Interventions.
2) We hold enhanced DBS clearance checks and are fully insured.
3) All dogs are trained in accordance with Kennel Club Good Citizen Awards
and must have passed their bronze award and be working towards silver to meet
our Therapaws standards. They are up to date with all vaccinations and attend regular salon sessions for cleaning, and puppy pampering!
4) All our dogs have been independently assessed by third-parties to check suitability as a therapy dog.
Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) is a therapeutic approach that intentionally includes an animal as part of the therapeutic process. It is commonly used in health, education, and across human services to improve physical, emotional, and cognitive function, whilst reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting socialiszation and communication.
Currently we work solely with dogs, however we are always on the lookout for other animals that may be suited to AAI, and our home! We select the animals based on their temperament, behaviour, and suitability for the specific therapy session and client.
We bring the animals to your location. Our therapy sessions take place in schools, businesses, hospitals, hospices, therapy centres and residential care homes throughout the North East of England.
Yes, Animal Assisted Intervention is safe when implemented by a trained and qualified practitioner. Our therapy sessions are designed to be safe and effective, and we follow strict health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of our clients and animals.
To book a therapy session with Therapaws NE, please contact us through our website or email. We will be happy to discuss your needs and schedule a therapy session at your convenience.
We hold Public Liability to the cover of £5m. Please contact us for more information on our insurance, liability and policies.
At Therapaws NE, we are dedicated to improving the lives of people of all ages and abilities in the North East through the power of the human-animal bond. We offer innovative and effective therapy programs, tailored to the unique needs and goals of our clients. Our founder, Jen, is an experienced and highly qualified animal-assisted therapy practitioner, and we follow strict health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of our clients and animals.
Thank you for your interest in Therapaws NE! We would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about our therapy services.
To schedule an appointment, request a quote, or simply learn more about animal-assisted intervention, please fill out the contact form below or give us a call. We are always happy to help and look forward to hearing from you soon!
